Discover 4 hidden attractions, cool sights, and unusual things to do in Canyonlands National Park (United States). Don't miss out on these must-see attractions: Druid Arch, Mesa Arch, and Lost Canyon Cowboy Camp. Also, be sure to include Murphy Trail and Bridge in your itinerary.
Below, you can find the list of the most amazing places you should visit in Canyonlands National Park (Utah).
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Druid Arch
Druid Arch is an iconic 150-foot tall Cedar Mesa Sandstone arch located within the Needles District of Canyonlands National Park, in San Juan County, Utah. It is situated at the head of Elephant Canyon, and precipitation runoff from Druid Arch drains north into the nearby Colorado River via Elephant Canyon. Druid Arch is one of the most popular hiking destinations in the Needles district. A 5.4 mile hike to Druid Arch starts at the Elephant Hill Trailhead, and the final quarter-mile is steep with some scrambling and one ladder. The name comes from its resemblance to the Stonehenge monument in England, which is believed to be a Druid temple. This feature's name was officially adopted in 1963 by the U.S. Board on Geographic Names.[1]
Mesa Arch
Tourist attraction in San Juan County, Utah. Mesa Arch is a pothole arch on the eastern edge of the Island in the Sky mesa in Canyonlands National Park in northern San Juan County, Utah, United States. Mesa Arch is a spectacular natural stone arch perched at the edge of a cliff with vast views of canyons, Monster Tower, Washer Woman Arch, Airport Tower, and the La Sal Mountains in the distance. Access is via a relatively easy hiking trail, just a half-mile long from the park road.[2]
Lost Canyon Cowboy Camp
The Lost Canyon Cowboy Camp was a line camp operated by the Scorup-Sommerville Cattle Company in what would become Canyonlands National Park, Utah. There is a little built structure; the site is significant for its in situ artifacts and graffiti, located beneath a rock overhang. The shelter was used from 1919 through the late 1960s when the park was established.[3]
Murphy Trail and Bridge
Bridge. The Murphy Trail and Bridge in San Juan County, Utah, United States, were used to move livestock from winter range along the Green River to highland summer range from about 1917 to about 1964. The trail and bridge are located in what is now Canyonlands National Park and the trail is now used as a hiking path. The bridge was made from logs and rough-cut planking, and was built around 1917 by J. Idiart and D. Allies. The 10-foot-long bridge was reconstructed in 1998 and no longer retains historic integrity.[4]